Interesting visit

Dad seemed to be feeling interesting today. He got 2 teeth pulled at the dentist. He didn't really seem like he was in the mood for company. In fact, after telling him about my team in training party I was getting together he calmly replied, 'whoooteeedooo...'.

Needless to say, I didn't take offense to any of this. Hell, he got 2 teeth pulled that morning. I would be much grumpier (sp?!) than he was.

He also wanted to go shopping to get a wrist watch and electric shaver. For other dads it was a tie, or aftershave - for Fred it's always been about electric shavers... and I guess watches too. Like John and myself, we buy cheap gaudy sunglasses, dad always has bought cheap watches.

Sometimes I have to inquire more about his shopping motives, so I asked him if there was anything else he wanted to check out. To this he replied - let's also check out some hi-fi stuff. Enough said, I don't think
I could have answered the question better myself.

That's all for now. Until tomorrow.

Feeling good

Saw dad yesterday for lunch. He seemed to be doing well.

He asked if I could take him out to the park or to see the dogs - I told him I couldn't during lunch, but that I would try to come by tomorrow after work. After work today I went to an impromptu happy hour and wasn't able to go see dad. I'll be coming by for lunch tomorrow to see him though.

I still need to get his computer set-up... I'm hoping to do that soon. I need to talk to John about what we'll do with his TV and dresser that we'll have to move out.

Until tomorrow...

Dentist update / first time at the pool

Good lunch today. Dad was smiling a lot. He asked about the dentist visit - It looks like he'll have to get another tooth pulled.

Before leaving I asked one of the aids to bring him down to the pool.... He looked confused as to why I wasn't going with him - I told him I had to go back to work, and I left. Glad to know he was able to hit the pool today. He had been looking forward to being able to swim for a while. If he gets back into it, I may take him down to Barton Springs for a Saturday / Sunday swim.

Oh... Here are some pics from Mary and Fred's recent visit.

Happy Fred!

Dad enjoyed his visit from Fred and Mary. He said it was like a dream.

Glad to see him so happy.

Hope to have some pics from their visit soon.

memory lapse

Dad had a difficult day today during lunch. He felt like he just woke up and his whole life was upside down. Sometimes this happens. I try to explain two things to him...

People have good days and bad days, and even if you're having a bad day it doesn't mean your whole life is bad.

Second, I remind dad that he needs to be patient with his body and mind. I explain to him that he's gone through a lot of change in the past few months, and sometimes when he gets anxious he just needs to sit relax and remember that he's not late for anything or forgetting anything.

Before leaving I chatted with Vera, one the aids in the SCU. She mentioned to me that she didn't give dad one of his anxiety meds earlier (it's PRN anyways) because she wanted him to be awake and ready to go for a swim, as today was the opening day for the pool at the ashwood (yes, John came though with a few pairs of trunks).

Before I left, I gave dad a big hug and told him to relax for the afternoon.

Sometimes days are good sometimes they're not... That's life.

good lunch

I came to see dad today at lunch with two pieces of good news...

#1 - Mary and Fred would be visiting in 2 days for the weekend. - He's been very excited about seeing them, and as he would say, getting out for a bit (like a mini vacation from the Ashwood - or at least that's the way I think of it).

#2 - The pool is opening tomorrow. I talked to John about buying Dad a few new pairs of swimming trunks. He said he should be able to go by this afternoon to buy them, then visit dad.

So, dad was very happy today. Exited about the big visit for the weekend, and eager to hop in the pool for a good swim tomorrow.

After having a good visit like this, I always feel a bit more relaxed for the day, and feel fortunate for what I have and what make me happy - my life, wife, friends, and of course my family.

It's Tuesday!

Couldn't see dad on Monday, due to a dental appt, so I came by today for lunch. On my way over, I got a speeding ticket... Which is classic, since I speed to his place and back leaving us with usually only about 20-30 minutes to chat, so I'm not late back for work.

Dad seemed to be doing well. His beard looked a little grown out. I asked him about it and he replied with the question, 'do I look seedy, or what?' with a slight grin on his face. Dad, like myself seems to have an infatuation with one day growing out a big beard. I know he's done it before, but I've never seen it.

He wanted to go for a shake or ice cream too, but I told him, as I usually do, that I didn't have enough time to take him out.

We also talked about moving his TV and dresser (tv stand) out of his room to move in his computer and desk. I'm going to make this a priority to take care of this by this weekend, assuming his computer is in working order. - Got to talk to John about that.

Over and out. Till my next lunch.

Saturday visit

I picked dad up around noon. He had just ate, so I offered to take him out to Fuddruckers to see some of my recent work for Kolar, and have a milkshake.

Upon arriving at the house, dad was welcomed with licks from Dolly and Tosca.

We sat in the backyard and chatted about how he was feeling. After talking about how the Ashwood was going, and how he was emotionally and mentally feeling, we started to chat about my idea of creating a blog for him.

I told him my idea of creating a blog called 'Lunches with Fred'. - Something where I could keep a daily journal of my visits with him, to talk about his past, present, future, and keep notes on his medical needs.

I encourage all of you to contribute any of your thoughts and comments at any time on the blog.

So, here it goes. Lunches with Fred.